Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival

Follow the lead of Hongkongers and make a party out of an ancient Chinese festival under the modern skyline of Victoria Harbour. Enjoy boats, beers and the cheers of hundreds of thousands of spectators — it’s the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival.

Every year, thousands of the world’s top dragon boat athletes battle it out at the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races — three days of intense racing that fill the harbour with heart-pounding action, a profusion of colour and the sounds of drummers and fans cheering paddlers on to the finish line.

To make your summer experience an unforgettable one, the carnival will also feature a tantalising man-made beach and a fun-filled splash area for locals and visitors alike to soak up the sun in the heart of the city centre. A scrumptious Street Food Gala will serve an array of local and international bites, as well as signature dishes from food trucks. Another addition to the event is the Artisanal Market, showcasing creative talents from local artists and craftsmen.

Stay tuned for more details on this year’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival!

It all started in 1976 when Hong Kong fishermen participated in an international dragon boat race (there was one foreign team — from Nagasaki, Japan) off Shau Kei Wan. Nobody would have guessed that this humble event would go on to spark an explosion of worldwide interest in dragon-boat racing and transform this ancient Chinese folk ritual into a modern international sport.

This year, the races will be held in Victoria Harbour on 14–16 June. As always, it promises to be a thrilling event in the home of modern dragon boat racing.

Fancy Dress Competition
Compete for the ‘Best Costume Award’ in an eye-catching event

70A Trophy
In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, teams from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao will be invited to compete for the coveted ‘70A Trophy’ in Hong Kong.

Did You Know

Know your dragon boat races!

At the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, you can see dragon boat races both standard and small. Click the pictures to find the differences between the races!

As tense as the competition can be on the water, ashore it’s a carnival engulfed in merriment. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival includes some zanier races that are just as hotly contested and just as spectacular to watch in the harbour. A dizzying array of fun and games will easily keep you busy and happy throughout the day.

Man-made Beach and Splash AreaSoak up the sun on the sand against beautiful Victoria Harbour and enjoy splashing fun with your water guns.

Music ConcertTalented singers and bands celebrate summer fun with fans during vibrant music performances.

Street Food GalaA fleet of food trucks and street food booths serve up local and international delicacies.

Interactive ActivitiesA flamboyant cast of marching bands, clowns and assorted entertainers are sure to put a smile on your face. Join in the fun with your favourite costume and props! You can also participate in an array of games, tattoo stickers, face painting and more.

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (7 June 2019).

It’s hard to imagine that the vibrancy of today’s colourful festivities has its origins in a tragedy that occurred 2,000 years ago. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese national hero. In a protest against corrupt rulers, Qu drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.

To scare away fish from eating his body, the townspeople beat drums and threw glutinous rice dumplings called zongzi into the water. Today, this event is remembered by Chinese people around the world, who eat zongzi and go swimming or at least dip their hands in rivers or lakes.

Dragon Boat Races

The real highlight of the festival is the fierce-looking dragon boats racing in a lively, colourful spectacle. Teams race the elaborately decorated boats to the beat of heavy drums. The special boats, which measure more than 10 metres, have ornately carved and painted 'dragon' heads and tails, and each carries a crew of 20-22 paddlers. Participants train in earnest for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with a steersman at the back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finish line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds.

Communities across Hong Kong will celebrate the festival with locally organised dragon boat races. Details of these events will become available closer to the festival date.